The Time Has Come to Redefine Success in Education

How can we redefine success in education to go beyond grades? What alternative metrics or indicators should be considered to measure a school's success in promoting a positive learning experience?

The map is not the territory.  You’ve heard that statement for decades.  What is really being said it that your perception of reality is not reality itself.  To take that one step further, if you want to change reality, change your perspective.

What would it take to apply that to our (United States) educational system?  Currently, the reigning perspective is to Drill! Drill! Drill! A set of standards that are so wide, so disconnected to most students’ lives as to cause overwhelming discontent with school as evidenced in chronic absenteeism, lack of engagement in organized learning and other negative behavioral concerns.

What if?  What if to be considered a successful school, an emphasis was placed on each member of the school house’s well being? New Zealand integrates the Maori concept of "Well-being" (or "Hauora") into its education system. Hauora encompasses the dimensions of physical, mental and emotional well-being, social well-being, and spiritual well-being.  To whit: Their goal is for New Zealand to be the best place in the world for children and young people! The curriculum emphasizes a holistic approach to education. Homework is minimal, and students have longer recess breaks. The emphasis is on an educational experience that promotes well-being.

This is certainly within our reach - but first we must shift our collective perspective of what makes for successful schooling to finally include an imperative for human well being.  The time has come for us to organize our disparate voices to frame the necessary transformative shift. It's a moment where we must come together, blending our diverse perspectives into a harmonious chorus. Our aim is clear: to champion an authentic whole-person initiative that redefines success within the walls of our schools.

What are you willing to do? Shift perspective? Use your voice?  As Barak Obama inspired us, ““One voice can change a room, and if one voice can change a room, then it can change a city, and if it can change a city, it can change a state, and if it change a state, it can change a nation, and if it can change a nation, it can change the world. Your voice can change the world.”